Aldosterone antagonists



United States Patent 3,092,628 ALDOSTERONE ANTAGONISTS Arthur E. Oberster, Garwood, Roger E. Beyler, Westfield, and Lewis H. Sarett, Princeton, N J assignors to Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Filed May 29, 1959, Ser. No. 816,693 1 Claim. (Cl. 260-23957) This invention relates to steroids having aldosterone antagonist activity, to intermediates prepared in the formation of the same, and to processes for making the novel aldosterone antagonists.

Aldosterone is a powerful agent for maintaining electrolyte balance in adrenalectomized patients and in patients sufiering from adrenal hypofunction. .Aldosterone promotes water retention and retention of sodium and chloride ions and tends to promote excretion of potassium. Over-secretion of aldosterone can threfore be seen to cause electrolyte imbalance. It is therefore necessary in those cases to administer an aldosterone antagonist in order to restore the balance.

The aldosterone antagonist compounds ofthis invention have a general formula selected from the group consist ing of where R is selected from the group consisting of fi-hydroxyl and 0x0, R is a lower alkyl radical, and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen fluorine, chlorine and bromine.

Other novel aldosterone antagonists have a general ton mula of the group consisting of 3,092,628 Patented June 4, 1953 2 and where R is as previously defined. These compounds are also especially useful in forming 9a-ha1o compounds of this invention.

The process of this invention may he illustrated with respect to the formation of 3-(17fi-hydroxy-l6u-methy1- 3,11-dioxo-4-androsten-l7a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone from 3a,17u-dihydroXy-1Ga-methyl-I1,20-pregnanedione. This process proceeds according to the flow sheet below:

I o-Alfii f Q .00 x III ago-o 0 on Ito-1 Ton,

The starting material 3a, 17 dihydroxy l'6a-methyl- 11,20-pregnanedione (I) is reacted" with periodic acid in aqueous methanol at room temperature. The product 3a-hydroxy-16a-methyl-11,17-etiocholanedione (H) is recovered from the reaction mixture by-extraction with ethyl acetane followed by chromatography on a suitable adsorbent such as alumina. This compound is reacted with acetylenemagnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran :to form a Grignard compl'ex, which is hydrolyzed to form 170:- ethynyl 30:,173 dihydroxy 1611; methyl 1 1.- etiocholanone The acetylenemagnesium' bromide, which has the formula HC-zOMgBr, is prepared by first making ethylmagnesium bromide according to the conventional procedure of adding excess ethyl bromide to magnesium in tetrahydrofuran, and then adding the ethylmagnesium bromide solution to a saturated solution of acetylene in tetrahydrofuran. The 3m-hydroxy '16bt-methyl-11,17-etiocholanedione II) in tetrahydrofuran is; added to the acetylenemagnesium bromide solutionland.acetylene is thereafter continuously bubbled into the solution. When the reaction is complete, the acetylene is stopped, water is added, and the mixture after filtration is extracted with ethyl acetate to recover-the product.

The product 17a-etl1ynyl-3a,17fi-dihydroxy-16umethy1- 1 l-etiocholanone (-111) of the; previous "step is reacted with ethylmagnesium bromide, followed by carbon dioxide to torm '3 (311,115,175 trihydroxy {16a methyl etiocholandh-yD-Z-propynoic acid '(IV). This compound is catalytically hydrogenated to form 3-( 3a,11}3,17,8-trihydroxy 16a methyletiocholal'r- 1-71 :yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone '(V) This reaction can also be carried .out using lithium and ammonia in lieu of hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst.

The compound 3-(3a,l1p,17B-t1'ihydroxy-1Got-methyletiocholan-lh-yDpropionic acid gamma-lactone (V) is oxidized with chromium trioxide to form 3-( 17 fi-hydroxy- 16 a methyl 3,11 dioxoetiocholan 17o: yl)propion ic {acid gamma-lactone (VI). 7 The compound 3-(17fi-hy oxy-16u-methyl-3,11 dioxo etiocholan 17a-yl)propionie acid gamma-lactone (V1) is reacted with one mole of bromine to form 3-(4-bromo- 175 hydroxy 16a methyl 3,11 dioxoetiocholan- ':17a-y1)propi'onicacid gammadactone (VII). Reach'on of this compound with semicarbazide results inthe tor-ma tion .1 of 3 (17B hydroxy 160: methyl 1'1 oxo'- 3- semicarbazido-4-androsten-17a-yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone VI'I-I)." Removal of the 3-semicarbaz ide group can be accomplished by means such as hydrolysis in an aqueous mixture of pyruvic acid and acetic acid, thereby forming the aldosterone antagonist 3-(17p-hy-. droxy 160:. methyl 3,11 dioxo- 4 androsten --17ayl)propionic acid gamma-laetone (IX) The aldosterone antagonist 3-(1-15,1713,dihydroxy-16- methyl 3 3 oxo 4 androsten 17a y1)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XI) can be prepared from 3-(l7fi-hydroxy -i'16u-'methy1 -'11 oxo 3 semicarbazido 4- androsten-lh-ynpropionic acid gamma-lactone'. (VIII), the preparation of which has been previously described,

9 i by reaction with sodium borohydride or other suitable reducing agent, thereby forming 3-'(l1}3,17fl-dihydroxy-16uf methyl 3 semicarbazido 4 androsten 17a yl)pro-. pionic acid gamma-lactone (X) which is hydrolyzed, for example with pyruvic acid in aqueous acetic acid, to form 3 (1119,1713 dihyd-roxfy 16oz methyl 3 oxo-4-androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid' gamma-lactone (X[). This conversion is illustrated as follows:

l 0 on,

, (Q XI The Qa-flLIOIO compounds of the present invention may be formed according tothe following sequence of reactions: 1,

The compound 3:(11,9,17l3-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-3- oxo-4-androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone q (X1) is reacted with methanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluene sulfonyl chloride to form 3-[l7fl-hyd-roxy-l6a-methyl-3- 0x0 4,9(11) androstadien 17a yl]propionic acid gamma-lactone (XII), which is reacted with a reagent which furnishes hypobromous acid in solution, as for example N-bromosuccinimide, thereby forming 3-(9a-b1'0- mo 115,175 dihydroxy 16a methyl 3 oxo 4- androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XIII). Reaction of this compound with an alkaline reagent such as potassium carbonate yields 3-(9fi,11fi-epoxy-17B-hydroxy 16 methyl 3 oxo 4 androsten 17a yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone (XIV). This compound, when reacted with hydrofluoric or hydrochloric acid, yields 3-(9a-fil1010-1 1p,17,8-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-3-oxo- 4-androsten-17a-yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone (XV), or 3 (90c chloro 115,175 dihydroxy 16oz -methyl-3- oxo-4-androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone respectively, which are novel active aldosterone antagonists. These compounds can be oxidized with chromic anhydride to form 3-(9a-fluoro-17,8 hydroxy-16a-rnethyl-3,1l-dioxo- 4-androsten-17u-yl)pr0pionic acid gamma-lactone (XVI), and 3-(9a-chloro-17B-hydroxy-16u-methyl-3, 1 1-diOXO-4- androsten-17a-yl)-propionic acid galrnna-lactone respectively, which are also novel taldosterone antagonists.

Preparation of the 9a fluoro compounds may he illustrated as follows:

ti e

The 9oz-Ohl010 compounds are made in the same way, substituting hydrogen chloride for hydrogen fluoride in the reaction with the 9,11-epoxy compound (XIV).

Aldosterone antagonists having the 1,4-conjugated diene structure in the A-ring can also be prepared according to this invention. For example 3-(17B-hydroxy-16a-methyl- 3,11-dioxo-4-androsten-17a-y1)prop-ionic acid gamma-lactone (IX') can be dehydrogenated at the 1 and 2 positions by various known means such as reaction with selenium dioxide or microbial dehydrogenation with microorganisms of the species Bacillus sphaericus, thereby afiording the novel aldosterone antagonist 3-(17B-hydroxy-16amethyl-3,1 l-dioxo-l ,4-androstadien-17a-yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone (XVII), which can be reduced if desired with an equivalent quantity of sodium horohydride to 3- (11fl,l7,3 dihydroxy 16oz methyl 3 0X0 1,4- androstadien 17oz yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XVIII). This transformation is indicated by the following equation:

o=( 30H1 0=ooH, O I H: O H7 o' 0H3 o=l -on. l Nan]: o: 0

IX XVII 0=o0rr, O 41H:

HO CH:

O i Q XVIII The corresponding 9a-fluoro compounds, i.e. 3-(901- fluoro-l7B-hydroxy 16a methyl-3,1l-dioxo-lA-androsfj tadien-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone and 3.(9afluoro =1 15,175 dihydroxy-16u-methyl-3 -oXo-1,4-andros tadien-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone can be formed in the same way from 3-(9a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy- 16a-methyl-3,11-dioXo-4 androsten-17a-yl )propionic acid gamma-lactone (XVI). Y

' The foregoing equations and reagents represent preferred embodiments of the invention for formation of novel compounds of the 16a-1ower alkyl series. Other reagents than those indicated may be used as is evident from the foregoing portion of the specification. Lower alkyl substituents other than methyl at the 16lX-POSIIIOI1 may also be introduced as will be evident to those skilled in the art.

In addition to the 16a-methyl compounds illustrated above, -lower alkyl compounds and particularly 16B- methyl compounds can be formed according to this invention using the procedures illustrated in the foregoing equations starting with 3a,l7a-dihydroxy-l6/8-methyl-l1,20- pregnane-dione, which is the 16fl-methyl epimer of compound I. Novel aldosterone antagonists which can he thus formed include 3-( l7p-hydroxy-16B-methyl-3,l1-dioxo-4- androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone, 3-(11/3, l7flf -dihydroxy 16,8 methyl-3-oxo-4-androsten-17u-yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone, 3-(9a-fluO1'O-11B,17fl-dihdroxy-16 8-methyl3-oxo-4-androsten 17oz yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone, 3-(9a-fluoro17/S-hydroxy-16fl-methyl-3,11-dioxo-4-androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gammalactone, 3-(17t3-hydroxy-1618-methyl 3,11 dioxo-l,4-androstadien-l7o -yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone, 3-(115, 17 fi-dihydroxy g 165 methyl-3-oxo-1,4-androstadien-17ayl)propionic acid gamma-lactone, 3-(9a-fluoro-11B,17fldihydroxy-16p-m'ethyl-3-oxo 1,4 androstadien-17a-yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone, 3-(9a-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy- 16B methyl-3,1l-dioxoelAaandrostadien 17cc yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone, and the 16fl-lower alkyl homologs thereof.

- The preparation of the starting material 3a,17a-'dihydroxy-l6a-methyl 11,20 pregnanedione (I) from the known compound 3-acetoxy-16-pregnene-11,20-dione can be carried out as follows:

A solution of 10.22 g. of methyl iodide in '50 ml. of ether is added to 1.73 g. of magnesium in 50 m1. of ether. To the resulting ethereal solution of methyl magnesium iodide, maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere, is added 0.045 g. of anhydrous cuprous chloride. To this mixture isadded, over a period of about one hour, during which period the reaction mixture is stirred vigorously and maintained at approximately room temperature; a solution of about 5.6 g. of 3-acetoxy-16-pregnene-11,20-dione in 175 m1. of ether. A white granular solid separates during this addition. The resulting mixture isheated under gentle reflux for two hours after which the reaction mixture is cooled, and 125 ml. of saturated aqueous ammonium chloridejsolution is added followed by 200 m1. of ether. The layers'are separated, and the ethereal layer is washed with three 50 ml. portions of water. The washed ethereal layer is dried, andthe solvent evaporated in vacuo to give a brown viscous oil. This oil, which is essentially 3a-hydroxy-l6a-methyl-11,20-pregnanedione, is heated for '15 minutes at 60 -70 C. with a mixture of 25 ml.- of pyri dine and'acetic anhydride. The acetylated product is purified-by chromatography on acid-washed alumina followed by crystallization from petroleum ether to give approximately 1.5g. of substantially pure 3-acetoxy-16m-methy1- 1 1,20-pregnanedione.

-A solution of 22 g. of 3oc-acetoxy-l6a-methyl-l1,20- pregnanedione and 1 g. of p-toluene sulfonic acid in 250 ml. of acetic anhydride is heated at reflux under nitrogen for a period of approximately three days. Two grams of anhydrous potassium acetate is added, and the volatile solvents are separated by distillation in vacuo. The residual material is extracted with benzene, and the benzene extract is filtered to remove insoluble material. The benzene extracts are evaporated to a volume of 100 ml. and petroleum ether is added to the cloud point. The resulting solution is adsorbed on 660 g. of acid-washed alumina, the alumina adsorbate is then washed with 2 liters of petroleum ether. The adsorbate is then eluted with'85 petroleum ether-ether mixture, and the first four liters of elute is collected, and evaporated tordryness in vacuo to give a mixture of enol acetates containing 3a,20-diacetoxy- 16a-methyl-17(20)-pregnene-1l-one. This mixture of enolates, weighing approximately 14 g., is dissolved in 50 ml. of benzene and treated with an excess of perbenzoic acid over a 16-hour period. The reaction mixture is shaken with dilute aqueous potassium hydroxide solution until the benzene layer is free of perbenzoic acid; the ben-.

zene layer is then washed with water until neutral, dried; and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to give a'crystalline material, 3oz,21-diacetoxy 170:,20 epoxy-16m-methylr1L pregnanone.

8 sis solution in vacuo, and the residual oil is extracted from the resulting aqueous solution with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with water to neutrality, dried, and the chloroform isv evaporatednnder reduced pressure. The residual oil is triturated with ether, and the crystalline material thus formed is recrystallized from ethyl acetate-petroleum ether to give 3u,17u-dihydroxy- 16a-methyl-1LZO-pregnanedione (I). v

The 16-lower alkyl homologs of (I) can be prepared by substituting the appropriate lower alkyl iodide for methyl iodide in the above procedure. The starting material 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16B-methyl l1, 20-pregnanedione can also be prepared from the known compound 3a-acetoxy-16-pregnene-11,20-dione. A- pro cedure for carrying out this synthesis is as follows:

In a 500 ml. three-necked flask equipped withcom denser, dropping funnel and nitrogen inlet are placed 20 g. of potassium hydroxide in 90 ml. of water, 100 ml. of methanol, and 100 ml. of ether. A solution of 10 g. of N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulfonamide in 50 ml. of ether is placed in the dropping funnel. Diazomethane is generated by warming the flask to 40 to C. and con- I tinuously adding the N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulfon amide solution from the dropping tunnel. Nitrogen is utilized to sweep the diazomethane into a solution of 20 g.

i of 3u-acetoxy-l6-pregnene-11,20-dione in 100 ml. of tetraof 2.60 ml. of cold acetic anhydride and 0.13 ml. of 60% hydrofuran and ml. of ether. The'process is continued until the steroid solution remainsyellowrfor several hours. The product, 3a-acetoxy-l6oc,Not-methyleneazo-11,20-pregnanedione, largely precipitates from the reaction mixture. After 16 hours the mixture isffiltered, washed with ether and dried in air; M.P. 186 190 C.

(decomposes).

Diazoethane, diazopropane, or the like is substituted in the above step for diazomethanewhere a l6fi-lower alkyl homolog of 3u-acetoxy 16p-methyl-11,20-pregnanedione is to be produced.

Into a 500 ml. round-bottomed flask heated by an oil bath is placed 37.4 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16u,Una-methyleneazo-l1,20-pregnanedione. A manometer and a 12-1iter, surge flask are in the line between the reaction flask and the vacuum pump trap. The flask contents are heated in vacuo atan initial pressure of 0.6 mm. until the bath temperature reaches 180 C. The maximum pressure developed is about 83 mm. After 10 minutes at 180 to 182 C. the melt is cooled. The product, which has xggaP 249, E% 191 is taken up in about ml; of acetone, filtered through diatomaceous earth and concentrated to about 100 ml. while ether is slowly added to the boiling solution until crystallization occurs. These crystals were 3u-acetoxy-16- rnethyl-lG-pregnene-l1,20-dione; M.P. to 167 C.,

(0.)? +75". iii. Ea

T o a stirred solution of 1.63 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16fi-methyl-11,20-pregnanedione in5ml. of chloroform and 25 ml. of carbon tetrachloride cooled to 0- C(is added a mixture perchloric acid. This mixture is held at 25 C. for two hours and then at 0 C. for 17 hours, and then is successively washedwith cold 5% aqueous sodium carbonate and cold water, and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvents are removed in vacuo, leaving a colorless residue of 3a,20-diacetoxy-l65-methyl-17 (20) pregnene-l l-one;

To 1.86 g. of 3a,20-diacetoxy-16fi-methyl-l7(20)-pregnene-l l-one and 3 ml. of benzene is added 25 ml. of 2.5 M perbenzoic acid in benzene. After 16 hours at 25 C. uptake of perbenzoic acid is complete. Additional benzene and ether are added, and the mixture washed with aqueous sodium sulfite, sodium carbonate, and water. The organic layer is dried over sodium sulfate and taken to dryness to yield 3a,20-diacetoxy-l7,20-epoxy-l65- methyl-l l-pregnanone. This compound is dissolved in 70 ml. of ethanol, and 1.20 g. of sodium hydroxide in 35 ml. of Water is added. After two hours at 25 C., 4 ml. of acetic acid is added and the mixture concentrated to a small volume in vacuo. Chloroform and water are added. The chloroform layer is washed with aqueous potassium bicarbonate, saturated with sodium chloride, and dried over magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvents in vacuo and successive crystallization from acetone-ether and benzene-ethyl acetate give pure 3a,17a-dihydroxy- 16,8-methyl-11,20-prepnanedione; M.P. 192 to 197 C.;

Analysis-Found: C, 72.97; H, 9.95. This invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific examples thereof:

EXAMPLE 1 3a-Hydr0xy-1 6oc-Methyl-1 1,1 7-Eti0ch0lanedione To 2 g. of 3a,l7a,dihydroxy-l6u-methyl-l1,20-pregnanedione' (I) in'40 ml. of methanol is added 5.9 g. of periodic acid, H5106, in 4.8 ml. of water. The resulting homogeneous solution was allowed to stand 65 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was worked up by adding water and extracting twice with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then with water until neutral and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The crude product weighed 1.767 g. This product was chromatographed on a column of acid-washed alumina. The column was eluted with ether-chloroform mixtures starting with pure chloroform and increasing the amount of ether in increments of 10% of the total mixture. The product 3a-hydroxy-16a-methy1-11,17-etiocholanedione (II) was recovered from the fractions containing 80% chloroform and 20% ether. The product was recrystallized from ethermethylene chloride. M.P. 159 l62 C.;

AnaIysis.-Calculated: C, 75.43%; H, 9.50%. Found: C, 75.00%; H, 9.40%.

EXAMPLE 2 l 7a-EthynyZ-3a,1 7B-Dihydroxy-J 6 oc-M ethyl- 1 1 -Eticholanone To 1.02 g. of magnesium in 24 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added excess ethyl bromide until all the magnesium disappeared. The ethylmagnesium bromide was transferred under pressure in a nitrogen atmosphere to a dropping funnel and was added dropwise over a two-hour period to 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran saturated with acetylene. To this solution was added 300 mg. of 3a-hydroxy-l6amethyl-l1,17-etiocho1anedione (H) in ml. of tetrahydrofuran over a 20-minute period. Acetylene was continuously bubbled through the solution overnight. Water was added until a gelatinous precipitate appeared. The mixture was filtered through Supercel (diatomaceous earth) and the filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed with water until neutral, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. A crude product weighing 320 mg. wasobtained. Recrystallization from acetone yielded pure 17a-ethynyl- 10 3oz, 17,8-dihydroxy-16a-methyl 11 etiocholanone (IH). M.P. 244247 C.

Analysis-Calculated: C, 76.70%; H, 9.36%. Found: C, 76.44%; H, 9.11%.

EXAMPLE 3 3-(30:,11,3,17,8-Trihydroxy-16a-Methyletiocholan 17a-Yl) -2-Propynoic Acid T060 g. of magnesium in 400 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added ethyl bromide until all the magnesium was consumed. A solution of 4 g. of 17a-ethynyl-3u,17[3- dihydroxy-16u-methyl-1l-etiocholanone (III) in 50 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added. The mixture was refluxed for 40 minutes and stirred at room temperature for an additional hour. Dry carbon dioxide was bubbled through the reaction mixture overnight. The tetrahydrofuran was blown oil with a strong stream of carbon dioxide, and Water was added to decompose the Grignard reagent. The aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and the aqueous layer was treated with 2.5 N hydrochloric acid until acidic. The acidic aqueous solution was extracted four times with benzene, and the benzene extract was washed with water until neutral and then discarded. The wash water was combined with the acidic aqueous solution, which was extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate was washed with water until neutral and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness. The product obtained was 3- (3u,11/3,17 8-trihydroxy 16a-methyletiocholan-l7a-yl) -2- propynoic acid (IV). The product was recrystallized from ether. M.P. 198-211C. (decomposes).

Ailgphuline These infra-red spectra indicate that reduction took place at the 11 position.

Analysis-Calculated: C, 70.74%; H, 8.78%. served: C, 70.33%; H, 8.67%.

EXAMPLE 4 The 3-( 3a, 1 1 5,17 B-trihydroxy 16a methyletiocholan- 17a-yl)-2-propynoic acid (IV), obtained in Example 3, was dissolved in ml. of methanol and catalytically hydrogenated at a pressure of 40 lbs. per square inch in the presence of 1.6 g. of palladium oxide catalyst. The reaction product was filtered and concentrated. Upon the addition of ether the product 3-(3a,l1,B,17/9-trihydroxy-1Ga-methyletiocholan-17u-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (V) was obtained. This compound has a double melting point at l40-142 C. and -l98 C.

' Analysis-Calculated: c, 73.36% H, 9.64%. served: C, 72.83%; H, 9.59%.

EXAMPLE 5 3-(] 7fl-Hydroxy-1 6 u-M ethyl-3,1 1 -Di0x0eti0cholan-1 7 a- Yl) Propionic Acid Gamma-Lactone cholan --17 a yl)propionic acid 7 gamma'lactone (VI);

EXAMPLE 6 3 -(4 Br mo-17 fi-H yd roxy-l 6 oz-M ethy [-3 ,1 1 -D ioxoezfioch olane-I 7 a-Yl Propionic Acid Gamma-Lactone To 90 mg. of 3-(17/8-hydroxy-16a-methyl3,-l'1-dioxoetiocholan-17u-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (V), dissolved in 3 m1. of dimethylformamide was added 2.2 ml. of a solution containing 18 mg. of bromine permilliliter ofdimethylformamide, and about mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The solution was allowed to stand at room temperature until the bromine color disappeared, which required about three and one-half hours. The reaction mixture was then diluted with 40 m1. of ether and extracted with four -ml. portions of water. The ether solution was then dried and then evaporated. The product, 3-(4 bromo 17B hydroxy 16a-methyl-3,l1-dioxoetiochol-an-17 a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone' (VII), was crystallized from methylenechloride-ether. M.P. 240-245 C. (decomposes).

EXAMPLE 7 3-(i7fi-Hydroxy-16a-Methyl-1I-Oxo-d-Semicarbazidoi- Androsten-l 7u-Yl)Pr0pionic Acid Gamma-Lactone diluted with about ml. of water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and

evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The product 3 (17):? hydroxy-lfia-methyl-l l-oxo-3-semicarbazido- 4-androsten-l7u-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (VIII) was crystallized from methylene chloride-ether; M.P. 245-265 C. (decomposed);

2 5? 271 mI m125,200

EXAMPLE 8 i 1 3-(17fi-Hydroxy-16a-Methyl-3,11-Di0xo-4-Androsten- H ;I7u-YZ)Propi0nic Acid Gamma-Lactone A solution of 40 mg. of 3-(17 8-hydroxy-16m-methyll1 oxo-3-semicarbazido-4-androsten 17a yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (VIH) in 0.5 ml. of pyruvic acid, 0.5 ml. of acetic acid, and 0.5 ml. of water was prepared. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 16 hours and then diluted with 20 ml. of water and extracted withethyl acetate. The extracts were washed with water, sodiurrrbicarbonate solution and again with wateryand dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation under reduced pressure resulted in 35 mg. of crude product of 3-(l7fl-hydroxy-l6u-methyl- 3,11-dioxo-4-androsten-l7a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (IX). The crude product was recrystallized from methylene chloride-ether. M.P. 237244 C.;

238 Ema 13,400

; I EXAMPLE 9 3-(115,17fl Dihydroxy-16a-Methyl-3-Semicarbazid0-4 i Andr0sten-1-7a- Yl)Propionic Acid Gamma-Lactone To a solution of 150 mg. of 3.-(17fi-hydroxy-16a-methyl. 11'-'oxo-.3'-semicarbazido 4 androsten-17a-yl) propionic acid gamma-lactone' (VIII) in 15 ml. of tetr'ahydrofuran 12 is added, with stirring, 60 mg. of sodium borohydride; The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Dilutehydrochloric acid was added until the solution was slightly acid. The resultant solution was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the extracts washed with water, dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was taken up'in methanol and concen trated. Methylene chloride and ether were added; and the product 3-(1118,17ft-hydroxy-16a-methyl-3-semicar bazido-4-androsten-17u-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (X) precipitated out and collected. M.P. 250-280 .C. (decomposes) i EXAMPLE l0 oxo-4-androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (X[); 'The product is' recrystallized from methylene chloride-ether. M.P. 251258 C. 1 I r Analysis..-Calcula.ted f0]? C23H3204I C, H, 8.66%. Observed: C, 74.21%; H.72%.

EXAMPLE '11 3[17B-HydroxyJ6a-Mcthyl 3-Oxo-4,9(11)Androsiadien-I l7a-Yl]Propionic Acid Gamma-Lactone V T o a solution of 100 mg; of 3-(1lp,-17;8-dihydroxy-16amethyl-3-oxo-4-androsten-l7a-yl)propionic acid gammalactone (XI) in 4.8 ml. of dimethylformamide was added 0.8 of pyridine and 0.4 ml. of methanes ulfonyl chloride. The reaction mixture washeated at to- C. for one hour. The solution became red in color after about 15 minutes and almost black by the end of the hour. The reaction mixture was poured into about 10 ml. of ice water, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water, dilute hydrochloric acid, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water again, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solution was evaporated, leaving a red oil. This oil was acidwashed alumina. 'Ihe alumina was elutedwithether and the product 3- 17,8-hydroxy-16a-methyl-3-oxo-4,9( 1 1 androstadien-lh-yl]propionic acid gamma-lactone (XII) was crystallized from ether. M.P. 18l-185 C. 'Repeated recrystallization from ether yielded an analytical sample; M.P. 188 to 191 C.;

rggy 239 my; Ema 16,700

. Analysis. oalcul'aited for (3231 13003: 8.53%. Found: C, 78.18%; H, 8.46%.

EXAMPLE 12 3-(9a-Brom0-11BJ7 8-Dihydr0xy-16a-Methyl-3-0x0-4- Androsten-I 7 a-Yl )Propio'nic Acid Gamma-Lactone Analysis.Calculated for C H O Br: C, 61.20% ;H, 6.93%. Found: C, 61.27%;H, 6.92%.

EXAMPLE 13 3- (9,8,1 16-Epoxy-J 7B-Hydr0xy-1 6 a-M ethyl-3-Ox0-4- Androsteln-l 7 a-Yl )Propionic Acid Gamma-Lactone tion with ether, the product 3-(9B,1lB-epoxy-l7B-hydroxy- 16a methyl 3-oxo-4-androsten-17a-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XIV) crystallized and was separated by filtration. M.P. 198-206 C. A sample was recrystallized for analysis from ether-methylene chloride. M.P. 211-213 C.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 74.56%; H, 8.16%. Found: C, 74.38%; H, 8.22%.

EXAMPLE 14 3- (9a-Flll0r0-1 1,3,17B-Dihydrxy-16a-Methyl-3-Ox0-4 Androsten-I 7cc-Yl) Propionic Acid Gamma-Laclone A solution of 50 mg. of 3-(9fi,11B-epoxy-l7B-hydroxy- 16cc methyl 3 oxo 4 randrosten 17m yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XIV) in 2 ml. of chloroform was added to 2 ml. of a solution prepared by mixing 7.45 ml. of a 6% (by weight) solution of hydrogen fluoride in tetrahydrofuran with ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 3.75 ml. of chloroform. The reaction mixture was cooled to 40 C., allowed to stand at this temperature for four hours, and then poured into a mixture of 8 g. of potassium carbonate in 15 g. of ice water and 15 ml. of chloroform. The chloroform layer was separated and the aqueous layer was washed with two l5-ml. portions of chloroform. The chloroform extracts were combined and washed with water until .the washings were neutral. The solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The product 3-(9a-fluoro-11,6,17B-dihydroxy 16o: methyl 3 oxo 4-and-rosten-Hot-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XV) was taken up in acetone, concentrated and crystallized out upon cooling. Yield 30 mg. M.P. 298305 C. (decomposes). A sample was recrystallized for analysis from acetone. M.P. 303 306 C. (placed on Kofier hot stage at 270 C.).

ACHaOH 2,380; E...l 16,770

max.

Analysis-Calculated for C H O F: C, 70.75%; H, 8.00%; F, 4.86%. Found: C, 70.71%; H, 7.87%; F, 4.90%.

EXAMPLE 15 3-(175 Hydr0xy-16a Methyl-3,11-Dioxo-1,4-Andr0stadien-17u-Yl)Pr0pi0nic Acid Gamma-Lactone To a solution of mg. of 3-(1713-hydroxy-16a-methyl-3,'l 1-dioxo-4-andros-ten-l7a-yl)propionic acid gammalactone (IX) in 2 ml. of tert.-butanol are added 0.1 ml. of glacial acetic acid, 100 mg. of mercury, and 74 mg. of selenium dioxide in 3.3 ml. of tert.-butanol. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for sixteen hours and then filtered. The filtrate is diluted with about 20 ml. of ethyl acetate and extracted with 2'0-24% aqueous ammonium sulfide solution saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and 2.5 N hydrochloric acid, and water, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Removal of the drying agent and solvents results in 3-(1'7fi-hydroxy-16umethyl-3,ll-dioxo-1,4-androstadien-Hot-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XVII).

EXAMPLE l6 3-(11 6,175-Dihyaroxy-loa-Methyl-3-Ox0-1,4-Androstadien-17a-Yl)Propionic Acid Gamma-Lactone A solution of 100 mg. of 3-(17/3-hydroxy416a-methyl- 3,-11 dioxo 1,4 androstad-ien 17a yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone (XVI-I) in 2.7 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is cooled to 0 C. To this solution is added with stirring 0.8 ml. of an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride containing .17.5 mg. of sodium borohydride per milliliter. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0 C. for three hours, dilute hydrochloric acid is then added, and the solution is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are washed with water, dried, and evaporated. Crystallization from methylene chloride-ether results in the product 3-(11fi, t17fi-dihydroxy-1'6a-methyl 3 oxo-l,4-androstadien-l7uyl)propionic gamma-lactone (XVIII).

What is claimed is:

3-(tl7 3-hydroxy-16m-methyl-3,-l.1-dioxo 4 androsten- Una-yl)propionic acid gamma-lactone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,705,712 Cella Apr. 5, 1955 2,875,199 Cella Feb. 24, 1959 2,925,416 Brown et a1 Feb. 16, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES Marker et al.: J.A.C.S., 64, 1280 (.1942). 

